Important Update - Kit fulfillment notice.

We are currently not able to supply any of our regular collection kits. 

Any general contributions made using the orange "Donate" button will be counted only as a donation, not as an exchange for a kit. 

The Microsetta Initiative and its subsidiaries, including the American Gut Project, have pivoted to COVID-19 research and are revising our kits to support this effort. We are working as hard as we can, but please be patient as these changes have required a complete overhaul of our infrastructure. 

In addition, we are in urgent need of funding to support these research endeavors. We are part of the UC San Diego School of Medicine. We are actively working with frontline workers, sharing limited resources, and engaged with the broader San Diego research network studying all aspects of this virus and disease. Please consider making a donation directly: https://go.ucsd.edu/2QlTi8n

More information about these recent changes can be found in the UC San Diego News: https://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/feature/call-for-citizen-scientists-to-contribute-to-covid-19-studies

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The American Gut Project is a part of the Microsetta Initiative, with the mission of collecting microbiome samples and rich phenotypic data from populations across the globe.

The Human Microbiome Project and other microbiome projects worldwide have laid an important foundation for understanding the trillions of microbes that inhabit our bodies and their impact on health and disease. However, opportunities for the public to get involved in such research have been limited. Now, American Gut gives you an opportunity to join this research project and learn what’s living on and inside you.

American Gut is a project built on the open-source, open-access principles of the Earth Microbiome Project. The data we collect is de-identified and then deposited into open repositories for the benefit of other researchers and scientists.  By participating in our project, you can help contribute to research that will help the world understand how the microbiome affects our health. In exchange for your participation, we generate a report summarizing the types of microbes observed in your sample, and how your sample relates to other people in the study.

While American Gut mainly focuses on the gut as this is where most of our microbes reside, we will also look at areas like the oral and skin, as these areas of the body also contain microorganisms.

What will I receive for submitting a sample?

Considerations before participation.

• It will take a few weeks to receive your results for stool samples and longer for those participating outside the U.S. (due to shipping times to send samples back to our lab, based at the University of California San Diego). It takes longer to process non-fecal samples as they are less common (we process similar sample types in batches to lower costs).

• The results you receive from submitting a sample are not for medical diagnoses or action. We do not provide medical information or recommendations based on your results.

Donate to participate and claim your 'Collection Kit' perk.

If You Live in the U.S.

Taking part is simple! Based on your level of contribution, you will be able to select a collection kit from the list of options on the right-hand side by clicking "Claim this perk" (if you would like to receive bulk order, please email us  microsetta@ucsd.edu). Your kit will be shipped via FedEx within a few business days after payment.

If You Live Anywhere Else:

International participants are also welcome to join. Additional shipping fees may be required, along with other regulations. Please email us at  microsetta@ucsd.edu   before contributing so we can check on shipping regulations.

Ideally, samples should be shipped back to our lab within  48 hours of being collected. Our kits are designed to protect and preserve your sample at room temperature during extended transit times.

If you have any questions or concerns, please visit our  FAQ  or email us at  microsetta@ucsd.edu.